March 13, 2026Updated March 14, 2026, 6:21 p.m. ET
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Jimmy Kimmel is being honored by the president. No, not that one.
The unfiltered late-night host – and outspoken critic of President Donald Trump – was honored with the President’s Award on the International Cinematographers Guild (ICG) Publicists Awards, the place he was acknowledged for “his strength of character, his resilience and his unwavering adherence to principle in the face of adversity,” based on an announcement by the group.
The trophy was bestowed by ICG nationwide president John Lindley, months after “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was suspended for six days following feedback that Kimmel, 58, made about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
“When they told me I’d be getting the President’s Award, I said, ‘Wow, that’s great! I thought he hated me!’ He called me a ‘no talent’ and tried to force me off the air,” Kimmel informed the gang on the Beverly Wilshire resort, the place he was feted on March 13. “Then I found out the president was John, so thank you, John. I like you more than him.”
Jimmy Kimmel takes photographs at Timothée Chalamet, nemesis Matt Damon
Kimmel proceeded to thank the publicists being celebrated, cracking some well timed jokes about Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, who has recently come under fire for saying that “no one cares” about ballet and opera.
“Publicists have a very difficult job, especially when their clients have strong opinions about opera and ballet,” Kimmel quipped. “I love them. Remember when they used to say there’s no such thing as bad publicity? That was a lot of Kanyes and Diddys ago.”
The comic obtained a pretaped introduction from Ben Affleck and Kimmel’s noted “rival” Matt Damon, who had an expletive-filled message for his archenemy: “ICG? More like ‘I see you, Jimmy.’ The only thing you ever do publicly is suck.”
After getting a number of of his personal jabs in at Damon, Kimmel earnestly thanked the viewers for having his again amid the Kirk controversy and attacks from the Trump administration.
“I especially want to thank you for your support over the last year,” Kimmel mentioned. “I heard from many of you personally. I heard from many of your clients over my brief vacation in September, and I will never forget it. I do want to thank you.”
Kate Hudson jokingly apologizes for her ‘wild years’ forward of Oscar evening
Journalists and publicists alike obtained trophies on the 2026 luncheon, as did “The Pitt” main man Noah Wyle, who was given the tv showperson of the yr award.
Kate Hudson, who’s nominated for greatest actress on the Oscars this weekend, additionally received a trial run on the podium, the place the “Song Sung Blue” star was feted because the movement image showperson of the yr.
Given the event, she took a second to honor Brad Cafarelli, her longtime publicist since her breakthrough function in “Almost Famous” at age 19.
“He’s seen me throughout every version of me in this industry,” Hudson, 46, mentioned. “My early years, my learning years, my wild years − and then the ‘figuring it out’ years. He probably experienced a few interviews that he would love a redo on.”
She provided a lighthearted apology to all publicists on behalf of her fellow A-listers.
“I have a feeling that the people in this room are much more used to putting out fires than starting them,” Hudson mentioned with a smile. “A lot of us artists have very excited amygdalas. So I’d like to thank you for being our prefrontal cortex when we need it.”
